APM Terminals breaks ground for terminal in Laldia

Built from the ground up through the landmark Bangladesh–Denmark Government-to-Government partnership, the terminal will add 800,000 TEU of new capacity, welcome vessels of up to 6,000 TEU, and create thousands of jobs.

APM Terminals today marked the official groundbreaking for the APM Terminals Laldia in Chattogram, moving one of the largest Public-Private Partnership investments in Bangladesh’s history from signing to construction. The USD 550 million project is the flagship outcome of a Government-to-Government (G2G) partnership between Bangladesh and Denmark, under which Bangladesh invited Denmark to bring the expertise and investment of its shipping and logistics companies to modernise the country’s critical trade infrastructure.

APM Terminals Laldia is being delivered in partnership with the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) and local partner QNS Container Services Ltd. Senior Government leaders from both countries attended the groundbreaking ceremony, marking a shared commitment to investment-led growth.

A model built for Bangladesh

APM Terminals Laldia will be fully designed, financed, built, and operated by APM Terminals and its partners, a first-of-its-kind model for Bangladesh’s port sector. Crucially, the port asset itself remains with Bangladesh throughout, ensuring that the country retains ownership of its strategic infrastructure while benefiting from world-class private investment and operational expertise.

Deeper draft, larger vessels, new capacity

Once operational in 2030, the terminal will add over 800,000 TEU of annual handling capacity to Bangladesh’s port infrastructure, easing congestion at Chattogram and strengthening supply chain reliability for the key engines of the export economy, including textiles, apparel and manufacturing.

Designed with a deeper draft and an extended quay, APM Terminals Laldia will enable the Port of Chattogram to handle container vessels of up to 6,000 TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units), which is more than double the current limit of around 2,800 TEU. The ability to receive larger vessels delivers higher efficiency through improved turnaround times and lowered logistics costs.

Romesh David, CEO, APM Terminals Laldia, said, “Breaking ground at Laldia is a promise turning into reality. We are building far more than a terminal by giving Bangladesh’s exporters deeper water, bigger ships, cleaner operations and a genuinely world-class gateway, while the asset stays firmly in Bangladeshi hands. This is what a true partnership between two nations looks like: Danish expertise and investment, Bangladeshi ambition, and a shared commitment to decarbonised, future-ready trade.”

Creating jobs and decarbonising trade

The project is expected to generate over 1,000 jobs during construction and more than 500 during operations, alongside significant indirect employment across logistics, manufacturing and services. As part of APM Terminals’ commitment to workforce development, dedicated training and apprenticeship programmes are being established to build local, highly skilled maritime talent.

The Laldia terminal is designed to be among Bangladesh’s first energy-efficient, low-emission terminals, aligned with Bangladesh’s long-term climate goals. Electrified cargo-handling equipment, solar power installations and shore-power-ready systems will together reduce greenhouse gas emissions, noise and air pollution for employees and surrounding communities.

Beyond environmental benefits, decarbonised shipping and logistics carry direct commercial value for Bangladesh. As buyers in Europe, North America and other Western markets place ever-greater emphasis on decarbonised supply chains, the APM Terminals Laldia project will help the country’s ready-made garment, apparel and manufacturing exporters meet their customers’ environmental requirements.

Remarks from the ceremony

H.E. Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury MP
Honourable Minister, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Planning, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, said, “This project is a major milestone that will transform Chattogram beyond a national port into a vibrant regional logistics hub. Our target is to expand Bangladesh’s economy from $500 billion to $1 trillion by 2034. Long-term economic growth must be driven by private-sector initiatives and public-private partnerships, with the government serving as a facilitator and enabler.”

H.E. Shaikh Rabiul Alam MP
Honourable Minister, Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, Ministry of Railway, and Ministry of Shipping, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, said: “Today marks the beginning of a new chapter as we enter a modern era of investment, advanced technology, and state-of-the-art terminal handling. This project will elevate our import-export trade to international standards. Under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, Denmark’s A.P. Moller – Maersk’s (APM Terminals) major initial investment of $550 million will demonstrate strong regional and international confidence in our government, economy, and investment climate.” He added,  “Chattogram Port is the lifeline of our economy, handling nearly 92 per cent of our foreign trade. The modernisation starting here today will send a powerful positive signal to the global shipping community and will serve as an ongoing process across our port infrastructure.”

H.E. Christian Brix Møller
Ambassador of Denmark to Bangladesh, said, “Today we are writing the next chapter in Bangladesh’s trade story, a chapter defined by greater capacity, stronger connectivity, and closer links to global markets. Maersk and APM Terminals’ investment in the Laldia Container Terminal is an incredibly strong testament to and vote of confidence in Bangladesh’s future, as well as in our Danish-Bangladeshi partnership for sustainable prosperity.” He added, “Denmark is the closest economic partner per capita for Bangladesh globally. That is extraordinary for two countries separated by 7,000 kilometres, reflecting a partnership built over more than 50 years. With Laldia Container Terminal, Bangladesh is sending a strong message: that it is open for trade, open for investments, and ready for the future.”

Rear Admiral S M Moniruzzaman, OSP, ndc, ncc, psc
Chairman of the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA), said: “Laldia Container Terminal marks a historic new chapter for Chattogram Port and Bangladesh’s maritime sector. As Bangladesh’s first green port being developed under the landlord port model through a public-private partnership, it sets a new benchmark for sustainable and internationally competitive port development. With APM Terminals as our strategic partner, Laldia brings together global expertise, private investment and public stewardship to create a more efficient gateway for Bangladesh and strengthen our position in regional and global trade.”